Google Unveils the Second Batch of GNI Startups Lab India

Google has unveiled the second edition of the GNI Startups Lab, a 12-week initiative designed to foster financial and operational sustainability among independent, early-stage news startups in India. In collaboration with Anymind Group and T-Hub, the program seeks to support the next generation of news outlets, emphasizing high-quality reporting for local communities and previously underserved demographics.

Selected from a pool of over 110 applicants nationwide, the ten chosen startups represent a diverse range of journalistic categories, including investigative, political, medical, youth, climate, and local news. Durga Raghunath, Head of India News Partnerships, highlighted the program's commitment to providing a voice to underrepresented communities in a recent blog post.

The cohort comprises newsrooms from various regions, delivering content in multiple Indian languages such as English, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, and Telugu. Google emphasized its dedication to addressing misinformation within the news industry by partnering with subject matter experts. This collaboration aims to empower journalists and newsrooms with digital tools and skills necessary for verifying information and crafting engaging stories, thus mitigating the persistent threat of misinformation.

Google has been actively supporting the Indian news industry through various initiatives, including the GNI India Training Network and Data Dialogue. Since 2023, over 15,000 journalists and journalism students have received training in more than 15 languages, impacting 240 newsrooms and media colleges. Last year, the tech giant, in partnership with Mediology, launched the GNI Indian languages program to assist 400 language news publishers in modernizing their online presence for improved user experiences across web, app, and video formats. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility to a broader audience and a more extensive range of content.

(With Agency Inputs)